Wolves are ready to welcome back defender Stephen Ward to full training after the international break.

The 24-year-old Irishman has been out since August after undergoing cartilage surgery and was expected to be out for up to 12 weeks.

But the popular left-back is well underway to completing his rehabilitation and is expected to rejoin his team-mates when they return from international duty before the Chelsea game on November 21.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: “Stephen will be training after the international break and it will be great to have him back. Like everyone when they get injured, he doesn’t like it and players get frustrated with themselves and they can never heal quick enough.

“But he is one of those people who does it all religiously and properly.”

McCarthy dropped George Elokobi for the 4-1 defeat against Arsenal on Saturday, drafting in Richard Stearman to play left-back against the Gunners.

Stearman responded well but the return of Ward, who impressed in the role when Elokobi was injured last season, comes as a huge boost.